Sasquatch Day 3 / The Gorge Amphitheater (George, WA) / 5.27.12

Published: June 7, 2012

Written By: Gracie Roberts
Photos By: Mason Trinca

Sunday morning, campers awoke to a balmy daybreak at the Gorge. The enjoyable weather and eventful day ahead made for positive vibes throughout the campground as Sasquatch attendees marched over to the amphitheater. Artists including Blind Pilot, Chiddy Bang, and Beat Connection made the third day one to remember with a mixed bag of prime music and entertainment.

At 5:40 p.m., Tycho got things moving in the Banana Shack. San Francisco native Scott Hansen has been producing music since 2002, when he released his first EP The Science of Patterns. Tycho is known for his ambient and chillout sound that is present in each of his carefully orchestrated tracks. During Hansen’s performance, the crowd fell into a calm daze that only added to the tranquil atmosphere created by Tycho’s style.

Up next was Star Slinger, the hip-hop and electronic producer whose sound has been coveted by many since late 2011. Based in Manchester, UK, Darren Williams has proved his talent by producing catchy beats and remixes that never fail to bring the house down. In the short time that Williams has been active as an artist, he has picked up positive press interest from SPIN Magazine and Pitchfork Media.

Star Slinger wasn’t kidding around when he stepped up to the plate at the Banana Shack. Playing an assortment of vinyl records, the sound at the Shack was unbeatable and the energy could be felt by all members of the crowd. Williams provided a diverse set for the Sasquatch audience, playing “Elizabeth Fraser,” “Ladies In The Back (feat. Teki Latex)”, and remixes of Gold Panda’s “Marriage” and Rihanna’s “We Found Love.” Fans still await the arrival of a debut album from this rising star, and after a set like Sasquatch’s, the anticipation only keeps growing.

Taking a break from the more upbeat side of Sunday’s roster, Apparat took the stage at the Banana Shack following Star Slinger. Apparat is the stage name for Sascha Ring, a German electronic musician who operates out of Berlin. With roots in a dance floor-oriented techno sound, Apparat has more recently found himself gravitating toward ambient music. In past years, Ring has collaborated with artists Ellen Allien and Modeselektor, producing albums that incorporate a multitude of different electronic genres.

In the Banana Shack, Apparat performed with a live band onstage, including pianist Raz Ohara and drummer Jörg Waehner. Giving the crowd a taste of his most recent works, Ring opened with “Song of Los” from his most recent album, The Devil’s Walk. Ring’s gentle, perfectly-pitched vocals rang over the crowd in soft waves, and the live instruments only added to the level of musicianship present in Apparat’s sound. As an artist with a style that differed from many others on the Sasquatch lineup, Apparat emerged as one of the most pleasant surprises given to this year’s festival.

While Beirut and Bon Iver rocked the main Sasquatch stage, Little Dragon was getting set up on the Bigfoot Stage. Little Dragon are a Swedish electronic band, consisting of Swedish-Japanese singer Yukimi Nagano and three of her close friends forming the band’s instrumentalists. With three studio albums now released, Little Dragon has reached a new level of recognition in the EDM and pop culture communities.

Little Dragon included many tracks from their most recent album, Ritual Union, in their performance at Sasquatch. Opening with “Little Man” and the album’s title track, the crowd was instantly pleased with the lively and spirited attitude that Nagano had to offer to her adoring fans. The band drew a massive crowd into the pit at the Bigfoot Stage, and it was plain to see that the love for the band continues to build.

James Murphy served as the final artist performing in the Banana Shack. A powerful name in the EDM industry, Murphy is an American producer, DJ, and cofounder of DFA records that has been active in the field for over two decades. His most widely known project is LCD Soundsystem, which he founded in 2001. Murphy hit a high point in his musical career with the band’s release of their first album, LCD Soundsystem, in 2005. Although Murphy has announced his retirement from the band, he has also experimented with film scoring and continues to perform as a DJ.

Murphy’s Sasquatch set was ninety minutes of hip-swaying, head-bobbing funk music that kept the crowd on its toes. By creating a 70s disco feel with irresistible beats, Murphy won over the crowd within the first few minutes of his performance. The high level of musical experience was undeniable when listening to the live show put on by this pioneer of electronic music. LCD Soundsystem fans were especially thrilled to see such an influential name at Sasquatch, and while experiencing James Murphy’s set, it became clear that being present at his show was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The fun wasn’t over at the end of Murphy’s set. Feed Me provided the late-night entertainment for the third day of Sasquatch, invading the Bigfoot stage with his customary stage setup complete with a gigantic set of teeth. While some of the concert goers headed back to the campground, a large portion of electronic music lovers remained at the venue and partied into the morning hours. Unbelievably, the third night of Sasquatch was only a warm-up for the fourth and final day of the festival.